The public sector in Ireland consumes a large part of the national wealth approx. 40% and produces a corresponding part of national output, in areas such as health, education, welfare, policing.
Its operations in many areas are crucial to the performance of the rest of the economy. The public sector sets the legal and regulatory frame work for all economic activity.
In other countries public administration is seen as a serious professional activity. The highest achieving French school-leavers dream of getting into the ENA National school of public administration. Here no ambitious school leaver thinks dreams of becoming a county manager.
While there is endless complaining about the manner the public sector conducts its business, (I am thinking Liveline) there is little real analysis of its achievements or shortcomings.
Where such analysis does occur there is no action taken on foot of that.
We now have a case where there has been detailed analysis of the failure of the Financial Regulator as outlined by judge Nolan.
There are many other issues that could benefit from the same scrutiny such as, what value local authorities provide for the rates.
Why no Irish universities appear in lists of the world's top 100.
What we need an army for.
Why ROS (the Revenue Online System) is such a spectacular success, it is you know. When so many other public sector IT projects are such disasters, PayPars, and electronic voting, for example.
So I have a Rock the Boat suggestion. AAM should fill the gap and have a forum to critique issues in the public sector. This would need to be heavily monitored to avoid becoming an echo chamber for moaners, but AAM has probably a better record for rational discussion than any other public forum I can think of.
We have a responsibility to the country.
Its operations in many areas are crucial to the performance of the rest of the economy. The public sector sets the legal and regulatory frame work for all economic activity.
In other countries public administration is seen as a serious professional activity. The highest achieving French school-leavers dream of getting into the ENA National school of public administration. Here no ambitious school leaver thinks dreams of becoming a county manager.
While there is endless complaining about the manner the public sector conducts its business, (I am thinking Liveline) there is little real analysis of its achievements or shortcomings.
Where such analysis does occur there is no action taken on foot of that.
We now have a case where there has been detailed analysis of the failure of the Financial Regulator as outlined by judge Nolan.
There are many other issues that could benefit from the same scrutiny such as, what value local authorities provide for the rates.
Why no Irish universities appear in lists of the world's top 100.
What we need an army for.
Why ROS (the Revenue Online System) is such a spectacular success, it is you know. When so many other public sector IT projects are such disasters, PayPars, and electronic voting, for example.
So I have a Rock the Boat suggestion. AAM should fill the gap and have a forum to critique issues in the public sector. This would need to be heavily monitored to avoid becoming an echo chamber for moaners, but AAM has probably a better record for rational discussion than any other public forum I can think of.
We have a responsibility to the country.